Answer: To become a veterinary dentist, a candidate must first complete veterinary school. Becoming a board-certified dental specialist requires additional training beyond the DVM degree. A veterinarian who completes the AVDC process becomes a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College and may use the “DAVDC” designation after their name. These specialists are also listed in the AVDC directory by area of expertise, including dentists who treat all species and those who focus specifically on horses and other equids.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), dental health is an important part of a pet’s overall health, and dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems. In fact, animals can suffer from many of the same oral conditions people do, including broken teeth, periodontal disease, abscesses, and misaligned bites, which is why dental care is such an important part of veterinary medicine.
Because pets cannot tell us when their mouths hurt, oral disease can often go unnoticed until it becomes more serious. That makes specialized veterinary dental care especially valuable for protecting an animal’s comfort, health, and quality of life.
For those interested in working with animals and pursuing a highly skilled area of veterinary practice, becoming a veterinary dentist can be a rewarding career path. The AVMA recognizes veterinary dentistry as part of veterinary medicine. In fact, dentistry is one of the specialty fields that is recognized by the AVMA, and the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) notes that it is a discipline focused on oral health care in animals.
This article covers the role of a veterinary dentist, the education and training required, the steps to becoming one, career outlook, salary prospects, and accredited programs for aspiring students.
What Is a Veterinary Dentist and What Do They Do?
A veterinary dentist is a veterinarian who has advanced training in diagnosing and treating oral and dental problems in animals. Veterinary dentistry is part of veterinary medicine and includes oral health care, oral medicine, and oral surgery for animals.
These specialists help manage a wide range of dental and oral conditions, from plaque buildup and periodontal disease to broken teeth, abscesses, malocclusions, oral masses, and other complex problems. In many cases, they also perform procedures that require specialist-level skill, such as dental radiographs, root canal therapy, surgical extractions, oral surgery, and treatment planning for more complicated cases.
The typical duties of veterinary dentists include:
- Examining the mouth, teeth, and gums of animals for signs of disease or injury.
- Diagnosing oral conditions such as periodontal disease, tooth fractures, abscesses, and malocclusions.
- Performing dental cleanings, charting, and dental radiographs under anesthesia.
- Carrying out extractions, oral surgery, and other advanced dental procedures when needed.
- Treating fractured teeth, including root canal therapy and crown placement in appropriate cases.
- Managing oral masses, jaw injuries, and other complicated oral diseases.
- Working with general practice veterinarians to provide specialty care and improve a patient’s comfort and quality of life.
Veterinary dentists also play an important role in preventing oral disease. AVMA guidance notes that a veterinarian should examine an animal’s mouth at least yearly, and dentistry now forms part of the veterinary curriculum in AVMA-accredited schools.
Requirements to Become a Veterinary Dentist
The requirements for becoming a veterinary dentist are more advanced than those for general veterinary practice. In most cases, the path begins with earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited veterinary school, followed by state licensure to practice veterinary medicine.
After veterinary school, aspiring veterinary dentists usually need additional clinical experience before applying to a residency program. The AVDC states that applicants must be graduates of a veterinary school and legally qualified to practice, and they must also complete either a formal 12-month rotating internship or an equivalent amount of acceptable postgraduate clinical experience.
Once those early requirements are met, the next step is an AVDC-approved residency in veterinary dentistry. AVDC says these residency programs typically take three to five years, and during that time residents must complete supervised training, case logs, and other credentialing requirements.
Board certification also requires passing the AVDC specialty examination after residency training is complete. When a veterinarian passes that process, they earn the title of Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College and can use the “DAVDC” designation after their name.
In addition, veterinary dentists must maintain the proper license to practice in the state or jurisdiction where they work, and licensing requirements may vary by location.
Steps to Become a Veterinary Dentist
Becoming a veterinary dentist requires several years of education, clinical experience, and specialty training. While the path is longer than that of a general veterinary practitioner, each stage builds the knowledge and skills needed to provide advanced oral care for animals.
Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree in pre-veterinary care, animal science, or a related field (four years)
The first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree. Ideally this is in a scientific field to complete prerequisites for veterinary school.
Step 2: Earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree (four years or more)
The second step to becoming a veterinary dentist is to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited veterinary school and become legally qualified to practice veterinary medicine.
Step 3: Gain additional clinical experience (timeline varies)
After veterinary school, aspiring veterinary dentists usually need additional clinical experience before they can move into specialty training. This broader training helps future specialists build experience in surgery, anesthesia, radiology, and other core areas before they enter residency.
Step 4: Complete an internship or equivalent postgraduate experience (one year or more)
The next step is to complete either a formal 12-month rotating internship or an equivalent amount of acceptable postgraduate clinical experience. This helps prepare candidates for the demands of advanced specialty training.
Step 5: Apply to an AVDC-approved residency program (timeline varies)
Once those requirements are met, the veterinarian can apply to an AVDC-approved residency program in veterinary dentistry. AVDC-approved training programs are available at universities, specialty hospitals, and private practices.
Step 5: Complete residency training (three to five years)
During residency, veterinarians receive supervised specialty training and complete the case logs, reports, and other credentialing requirements needed for board certification. Residency training in veterinary dentistry typically takes three to five years, depending on the program and schedule.
Step 6: Pass the AVDC specialty examination (timeline varies)
The final step is to pass the AVDC specialty examination and complete the credentialing process. Once that is done, the veterinarian becomes a board-certified veterinary dentist and may use the “DAVDC” designation after their name.
Step 7: Maintain licensure and professional standards (timeline varies)
After certification, veterinary dentists must maintain the license and professional standards required by their jurisdiction and continue meeting any ongoing professional requirements.
Career Outlook for Veterinary Dentists
While the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track veterinary dentistry as a separate occupation, its outlook for veterinarians provides a useful benchmark for the broader field. The BLS (2026) expects veterinary openings nationwide to swell 9 percent between 2025 and 2035, much faster than the average growth projected for all occupations during that time (3 percent). With the addition of 8,600 opportunities for veterinarians nationwide, the career landscape in this field looks promising. This broader outlook highlights overall demand for animal health professionals, especially in roles that require advanced, specialized skills.
Veterinary dentists are well positioned within that landscape because dental disease is common in animals and often requires more than routine care. As pet owners become more aware of oral health, and as veterinarians identify more cases that need advanced treatment, the need for dental specialists remains important.
This specialty is also valuable because it supports both preventive care and complex treatment. Veterinary dentists may handle cases involving broken teeth, periodontal disease, oral masses, jaw injuries, and other conditions that require specialist-level expertise.
Career opportunities can be found in specialty hospitals, referral practices, universities, and private practices. Some veterinary dentists focus on companion animals, while others work with horses and other equids, which broadens the field even further.
Overall, veterinary dentistry is a specialized career with strong long-term relevance. For students who want a path that combines medicine, surgery, and hands-on patient care, it can be both challenging and rewarding.
How Much Do Veterinary Dentists Make?
Veterinary dentist salaries can vary by experience, location, employer type, and level of specialty training. Since the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track veterinary dentistry separately, the closest benchmark is the salary data for veterinarians. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025), the 83,900 veterinarians across the nation earned an average annual salary of $142,680—the latest figures available as of September 2026.
National figures are encouraging, according to another data source. ZipRecruiter (2026) says the average annual pay for a Veterinary Dentist in the United States is $189,979. It also states that most veterinary dentist salaries currently range between $131,000 and $236,000.
In general, veterinary dentists may earn more than general veterinarians because they have advanced specialty training and can handle more complex cases. Compensation can also differ based on whether a dentist works in a private practice, specialty hospital, university setting, or referral center. Location can have a major impact on earnings as well.
Overall, veterinary dentistry can be a financially rewarding career, especially for professionals who build strong clinical expertise and work in settings where advanced dental care is in high demand.
